New Zealand Commercial Design Trends Series NZ Commercial Design Trends Vol. 35/02C | Page 50

providing a unique boutique experience for guests
that connects them to the city, and the countryside.
To be fair, the hotel already has a great head
start in terms of location, being ideally situated
on Christchurch’s bustling Victoria Street, amidst
an array of cafes, restaurants and bars. It’s also a
stone’s throw from beautiful Hagley Park and just a
short stroll from the city centre.
Even the hotel’s architecture reflects a strong
sense of connection to the country’s tragically
decimated and now rejuvenated South Island city.
Ignite Architects undertook the design of the
hotel as well as addressing the bespoke interiors.
Building project architect Neil Wyatt says the build
comprises three elements, an office building, the
hotel, and an airy atrium that divides the two.
“The office facade is predominantly clean-lined
and glass, while the contrasting but complementary
hotel has rounded corners and gold-hued aluminium
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panelling,” says Wyatt. “The hotel facade has a
classic air with pleasing proportions and a touch of
Modernism and even Art Deco about it – in keeping
with the surrounding city environment.”
The glass-clad central atrium plays an important
part in the design both physically and symbolically.
“The two-canopy system keeps the rain out,
while allowing light and fresh air to penetrate deep
into the building,” says the architect.
“It helps animate the design, too, with office
workers accessing their workplace via the atrium.
The hotel ground-floor restaurant and bar – Vices &
Virtues – also benefits from the pedestrian move-
ment and natural light from the adjacent atrium.”
Plus symbolically, it’s as if the upmarket hotel is
literally opening up to embrace the city vibe.
The hotel interiors are largely by Ignite as well,
with the spa and restaurant and bar by interiors
experts Luchetti Krelle. Lead designer on Ignite’s
Below:Natural materials and
tones are emphasised in the
hotel lobby, with the custom
reception desk comprised of
strip wood batons, evoking the
layering of a grove of trees.
Right:Wool carpets, natural
furnishings and bedheads
adorned with a print/painting
by New Zealand artist Aroha
Gossage feature in guest suites.
Lower right:In this luxury suite,
the wallpaper and even the wood
furniture reference trees and
New Zealand’s natural world.